NIAC Submits Public Comment on Proposed Implementation Plan for the MENA Category in the U.S. Census
In March 2024, the U.S. Census officially adopted a Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) Category for inclusion in the 2030 Census, with an Iranian subcategory as well. While securing this category after decades of advocacy and research is indeed a significant win, ensuring full and proper implementation of the category is the most urgent […]
It’s Official: Iranian Americans to Finally be Counted in U.S. Census
After decades of research, education and advocacy by NIAC and many others, the next Census in 2030 will officially include Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) as a category option, with “Iranian” included as a subcategory, among others. For the 2030 Census and additional government surveys, the addition of a MENA category will finally address […]
California Legislature Introduces the MENA Inclusion Act🎉
The introduction of this bill is a crucial step to officially put our community on the map and open up new resources and benefits – from having better data to address health disparities in our communities, to economic growth opportunities, to increasing our political presence and participation.
California MENA Inclusion Act – Bill Explainer
The State of California is incredibly diverse, and home to a plethora of Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) communities, including the largest population of Iranian Americans. The 2020 Census indicated that Iranians represented 34% of the MENA population, or the largest sub-group of individuals with MENA heritage. However, neither the federal government nor the […]
“Write in Iranian” on the 2020 Census
NIAC is pleased to have joined a coalition of national Iranian-American organizations to encourage an accurate count of our community. Correct data on our community is crucial, so we hope you’ll join our efforts to count everyone! “Write in Iranian” on the 2020 Census Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau is responsible for counting everyone living in the United States. For the […]
MENA Category Rejected by Census Bureau Despite Clear Benefits
Washington, DC – The US Census Bureau once again declined to add a Middle East and North African (MENA) category for the 2020 census. Many Americans of Middle-Eastern descent, including Iranian Americans, have for decades sought the additional category so that the census more accurately reflects America’s mosaic of different cultures and the voices of Iranian Americans are not ignored by lawmakers.
Take Action: Make Sure Iranian Americans Are Counted in the Next U.S. Census
Washington, DC – The National Iranian American Council (NIAC) and a coalition of Iranian-American organizations comprised of PAAIA, IAAB, and IABA are urging for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to include an ethnicity category in the Census for Middle Eastern and North African (MENA). Following years of community efforts to ensure Iranian Americans are counted, there is finally a proposal to include MENA as a category on the 2020 census. The groups submitted a public comment in support of the new proposal and the public can do so as well at the Federal Register website.
Census May Soon Include Iranian Americans
In response to years of efforts by Iranian-American organizations to ensure Iranian Americans are counted, the Department of Commerce is proposing that a new category be included in the 2020 Census: “Middle East North Africa” (MENA), which includes a designated check-box or write-in option for “Iranian.” By including an option for “Iranian,” Iranian Americans can finally be counted as part of the Census and have an accurate accounting of our population size.
Iranian American Organizations Unite to Form Iranian American 2010 Census Project Coalition
Mindful of events in Iran following the June 12th presidential election, your voice as an Iranian American will matter even more. Decision makers and Americans nationwide are looking to our community for advice and direction.
NIAC Partnering with U.S. Dept. of Commerce for 2010 Census
As the largest grassroots Iranian-American organization with a presence in all 50 states, NIAC is partnering with the United States Department of Commerce to increase awareness within our community about the 2010 Census.